MX2011006057A - Method and apparatus for the manufacture of razor head component, and components thus manufactured. - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of manufacturing a razor head component comprises: (a) providing a strip (34) of material elongated along a first direction, having a first portion (35) comprising a first edge, a second portion (39) comprising a second edge, and an intermediate portion (36), (b) bending the intermediate portion of a part of said strip about a bending axis parallel to the first direction, (c) fixing a razor blade (66) onto the second portion (39) of said part.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPONENT OF SHAVING HEAD, AND COMPONENTS AS MANUFACTURED FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the manufacture of shaving head components, and to components thus manufactured.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mechanical shavers with moving blades or blades have been in use for a long time. Some of them include fixing the razor blade as such on an L-shaped support that will be guided in the head of the shaver. This solution is convenient because the requirements of the razor blade are very high in terms of geometric accuracy and material properties, while the independent support only has the function of guiding the blade in the shaver head.

It has also been proposed a long time ago to manufacture these supports online. An example has recently been published in WO 2008/059,436, which comprises a press adapted to form the support.

However, the use of a press of this type has a detrimental impact on the planet, as it requires ample lubrication of the material to be stamped, and also generates a lot of waste.

The present invention has in particular the aim of mitigating these drawbacks.

THE INVENTION For this purpose, according to the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a shaving head component comprising: (a) providing a strip of elongated material along a first direction, the strip having first and second edges parallel to said first direction, having a first portion comprising said first edge, a second portion comprising said second edge, and an intermediate portion that is intermediate between said first and second portions; (b) curving the intermediate portion of a portion of said strip around a curving axis that is parallel to the first direction; (c) fixing a razor blade on the second portion of said part.

With these features, almost all of the strip is transformed into useful material. On the other hand, since few cutting operations are required, a high speed operation is possible.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of a razor head component comprising: (A) a delivery station that provides a strip of elongated material along a first direction, the strip having first and second edges parallel to said first direction, having a first portion comprising said first edge, a second portion that comprises said second edge, and an intermediate portion that is intermediate between said first and second portions; (B) a bending station adapted to bend the intermediate portion of a portion of said strip around a bending axis parallel to the first direction; (C) a fixing station adapted to fix a razor blade on the second portion of said part.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a strip of elongated material along a first direction, the strip having first and second edges parallel to said first direction, having a first portion comprising said first edge, a second portion. portion comprising said second edge, and an intermediate portion that is intermediate between said first and second portions; wherein the intermediate portion of a first part of said strip is curved about a curved axis parallel to the first direction; wherein a second part of said strip is rectilinear, said second part being connected to said first part.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a set of elements comprising: - a strip of this type; - an individual sheet support, having a cross section with a profile identical to that of the first part of said strip, said support having no razor blade fixed thereto; - a first set of a sheet and individual sheet support, the support having a cross section with a profile identical to that of the first part of said strip, the razor blade having a manipulation portion and a head portion, said portion comprising of head a fixing portion and a cutting edge, said fixing portion being fixed on the support; - a second set of a sheet and individual sheet holder, identical to the first set, without said manipulation portion; wherein said elements are arranged in line along the first direction, in said order.

In some embodiments, it would also be possible to use one or more of the features defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will easily arise from the following description of some of its embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting examples, and from the attached figures 1 to 30.

In the figures: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a manufacturing facility of a component according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a slot forming station of the apparatus of Figure 1, along the line ll-ll of Figure 3; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the strip at a straightening station; Figure 4 is a perspective, detailed view; shows a notch-forming station of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view, along the line V-V of Figure 4, of the notch-forming apparatus; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bending station of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII of Figure 6 of the bending station; Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the bending station, indicated by the reference number VIII in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective, detailed view of a traveling station and a separation station of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a partial sectional view along line XI-XI of Figure 10; Figure 12 is another partial view of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a detailed view of Figure 15; Figure 14 is a sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of an assembly station of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a station for joining, of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a break station and a stacking station for the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 18 schematically represents in perspective a part of a strip that leaves the delivery station; Figure 19 is a schematic sectional view of the strip exiting the groove forming station; Figure 20 is a sectional view along the line XX-XX of Figure 21, of the strip exiting the groove-forming station; Figure 21 is a plan view of a portion of the strip exiting the notch-forming station; Figure 22 is a partial perspective view of the strip in the bending station; Figure 23 is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 22; Figure 24 schematically represents in perspective a support that leaves the separation station; Figure 25 is a side view of the assembly of a blade or blade on a blade support in the station to be joined; Figure 26 is a perspective view of the blade support and sheet assembly that exits the breakage station; Figure 27 is a partial view of a sheet and support assembly; Figure 28 is a sectional view of a sheet holder according to a second embodiment; Figure 29 is a sectional view of a sheet holder according to a third embodiment; Y Figure 30 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a razor head.

In the different Figures 1 to 30, similar reference numbers designate similar or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows schematically a manufacturing apparatus 1, for the manufacture of a set of a sheet and sheet holder. An apparatus of this type comprises a plurality of stations that will be described in the following, arranged along a path 2 materialized by both a continuous line and dotted lines in Figure 1, in particular a straight line, more in particular a straight path, for a material for the support of the sheet.

In the example hereof, the apparatus 1 comprises a delivery station 3 that delivers an elongated strip of material for the support of the sheet, and arranged along the trajectory 2 and in this order, the following stations: a station for the control of loops, 4, which in this field is classic, and which is used to control the speed of delivery of the material in the form of strips by the delivery station, and which in the following will not be subject to a more detailed description; a groove-forming station, 5, adapted to form a longitudinal groove in the strip, and described in relation to Figure 2; a straightening straightening station, 6, which in this field is classical, and which for example comprises two rows of rollers having axes of rotation parallel to each other operating in parallel with the height of the support strip, and separated from each other in transverse direction with respect to this axis and in transverse direction with respect to the direction of movement of the strip, and rotating in contact with the faces of the strip in order to straighten it along the direction of its movement; a notch-forming station, 7, adapted to practice recesses in the strip (see Figures 3 and 4); a bending station, 8, adapted to bend the strip (see Figures 5 and 6); a displacement station (see Figure 7) comprising a first displacement station 9a (see Figure 8), adapted to move the strip along the path, and a second displacement station 9b (see Figure 10) , adapted to displace individual supports along the trajectory; a separation station, 10, (see Figure 7), adapted to separate individual supports from the strip and located between the first and second displacement stations, 9a, 9b; a sheet delivering station, 11, adapted to deliver a sheet in correspondence with a support (see Figure 11): a sheet assembly station, 12, adapted to assemble a sheet in a sheet holder (see Figures 12 and 13); a station for attaching a sheet to a sheet holder, 13, adapted to firmly attach the sheet and the sheet holder (see Figure 14); a breaking station, 14, adapted to break a part of the sheet (see Figure 15); Y a set stacking station, 15, adapted to form a stack of sets (see Figure 15).

Most of these stations are arranged on a board 16 and are driven by one or more respective actuators 5 ', 7', 8 ', 9a', 10 ', 9b', 12 ', 14', 15. For example, the synchronization of the stations is ensured by connecting all of these actuators to a common rotation shaft 17 driven by a servomotor 18.

On the other hand, although it can not be seen in Figure 1, it would be it is possible to arrange inspection devices (for example, optical sensors or the like) between the stations in order to control the manufacturing process in specific stations. Such controls are connected to a remote monitoring station 19 such as for example a microcomputer, or the like, which also controls the operation of the motor 18. Some stations, such as for example the station to be joined, are not necessarily controlled by the axis 17. , but could be controlled directly by the monitoring station 19.

For example, the delivery station 3 comprises a reel that can rotate around an axis of operation Y3, and deliver a strip of material to be transformed into a sheet holder for the head of a razor blade.

As shown in Figure 18, strip 34 is a thin, flat, elongated piece of rigid material, such as metal, in particular stainless steel. For example, the strip has been obtained by cold rolling, heat treatment (annealing) and trimmed in suitable widths from base material of the following composition (expressed as mass percentage): C = [0.07: 0.15], Cr = [17.5; 19.5], Mn = [5.0; 7.5], Ni = [6.5; 8.5], N = [0.20; 0.30], Yes = [0.50; 1.00], P = [0: 0.030], S = [0; 0.015].

Such a material has a hardness of about 200-250 HvI Kgf, and a tensile strength of about 760-960 N / mm2. As far as its geometrical features are concerned, its thickness t (see Figure 27) is about 0.27 mm (eg, between 0.22 and 0.32 mm, preferably between 0.275 and 0.285 mm), and its height h is about 2.58. mm (for example, it is between 2.53 and 2.63 mm).

In the following, the reference frame X-Y-Z is used to describe the geometry of the strip. X designates the length (the elongated direction) of the strip, Y refers to the direction along which the strip is smaller (direction of thickness) and Z corresponds to the third direction of the strip, which is considered as height. The reference frame X-Y-Z is a local reference frame associated with the strip and can, for example, be transformed into the global reference room frame (not shown) if the strip is related in the room for example between two stations.

In its thin flat material form, the strip can be arbitrarily divided along its height (along the Z direction) into an upper portion 39, a lower portion 35 and an intermediate portion 36 between the upper portions 39 and lower 35. The upper portion 39 extends from an upper side 46 downwards, and the lower portion 35 extends from the lower side 47 upwards. A strip 34 has two opposite faces 48, 49, opposite with respect to the direction Y, and which, in this stage of the process, can be undifferentiated.

The strip 34 is ejected from the delivery station 3 by the continuous rotation of the reel, and by the stepped movement of the first displacement station 9a, as will be described in detail in the following. Therefore, the strip passes through the loop control station, 4, which is used to control the rotational speed of the reel 3. Next, the strip 34 passes through a slot forming station, 5, details of which are shown in Figures 2 and 3.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the groove forming station, 5, the strip 34 moves along the longitudinal direction X between a groove-forming roller, 20, and a counter-roller, 21, which are arranged in the intermediate portion 36 of the strip and whose rotations are controlled around the axes of rotation Z20 and Z21, both parallel with respect to the axis Z. While the outer surface 22 rests simply on the face 49 of the strip, without deforming it, the outer surface 23 of the groove forming roller, 20, is arranged so as to form a groove 50 in the face 48 of the strip 34 in the intermediate portion. The slot 50 is for example continuously and without interruption in the strip 34 by pressing the material. It may have, for example, a triangular cross-section, with angled symmetrical faces, 50i and 502 with respect to the X-Y plane. Other geometries are possible. Cutting the material is another option for forming grooves.

The geometry of the strip exiting the groove forming station 5 is shown schematically in Figure 19, in section in the plane And Z.

The actuator 5 'controls the movement of the groove forming station 5, and in particular the rotation of the roller 20 about the axis Z2o.

The strip is then moved along the path 2 to the straightening station 6 which has been described in the preceding and then to the notch-forming station 7, shown in Figure 4. The actuator 7 'is adapted to make that a notch-forming device 24 generates a notch through the strip 34 at a certain rate or rate. According to the present embodiment, this cadence is selected in such a way that a single future sheet holder 134 will extend between two consecutive notches 51 in the strip. As can be seen in Figure 5, the notch-forming device, 24, will comprise a cylindrical seat 25 having an end 25 'facing one of the faces 48, 49 of the strip (for example face 48), and a piston 26 which can slide with respect to the seat 25 along the direction Y7 in a back and forth movement driven by the actuator 7 '. The piston 26 comprises, in a notch-forming head, 26 ', a notch-forming portion 27 adapted to pierce through the strip where it is located. As can be seen in particular in Figures 20 and 21, the notch 51 will extend through the thickness of the strip 34 between the two faces 48 and 49. It extends from the upper side 46 down, but does not reach the bottom side 47. On the other hand, the notch 51 will comprise a short upper portion 52 extending from the upper side 46 downwards and a long lower portion 53, longer than the short portion 52 along the X axis and extending from the upper short portion 52 downward toward the intermediate portion 36 of the strip 34.

The strip 34 is then moved to the bending station 8 shown in detail in Figures 6 to 8. The bending station 8 comprises a fixed receiving part, 28, which comprises a groove 29 receiving the lower portion 35 of the strip 34 (see Figure 8). The intermediate portion 36 and the upper portion 39 of the strip project out of the slit 29.

The bending station 8 further comprises a bending tool 30 which is mounted, so as to be able to rotate, on the actuator 8 'with respect to a rotation axis Xe. The actuator 8 'is movable with respect to a support 79 about the axis X8' so as to cause rotation of the bending tool 30 about the axis of rotation Xe between a neutral position (not shown) and a bending position, shown in Figure 7. The length of the bending tool 30 about the X axis (transverse to the plane of Figure 7) is approximately equal to the distance separating two notches 51. The bending tool 30 has a bending surface 31 resting on the strip 34 so as to bend the strip between two successive recesses 51 around the X axis.

In the present embodiment, the bending is carried out in such a way that the face 48 of the strip, which bears the slot 50, will be the inner face of the strip, lies that the outer face 49 will be the outer face. However, in an alternative embodiment, a bending could be performed with the slot 50 on the outer face of the strip. The bending is carried out mainly in the intermediate portion 36 of the strip 34, such that the lower portion 35 remains substantially flat, and in such a way that the upper portion 39 thereof also remains substantially flat, and at an angle with with respect to the lower portion of approximately 60-76 degrees (approximately 68 degrees). In Figure 22 the resulting portion of the strip is shown.

In Figure 22 a portion of the strip 34 is shown, which can split into three parts longitudinally along the X axis. The left hand side portion 34i, which is only partially shown, corresponds to a future individual sheet holder that has not yet entered the bending station. The central portion 342 is a future individual blade support located in the bending station, just after having been subjected to the bending action of this station. The right-hand side portion 343 is a future individual blade holder that has recently left the bending station.

In a variant embodiment, the bending tool 30 could be subjected to a back and forth translation movement with respect to the receiving part 28.

Another frame of reference is used to describe the geometry of the apparatus after the bending station. The longitudinal direction X remains the same as before. The direction U, or "depth" direction, defines together with the X direction the plane of the upper surface 73 of the upper portion 39 of the curved strip 34. The direction V is the normal direction with respect to the plane X-U. Therefore, in this step, the notch 51 is also curved, with the lowermost portion of the notch 71 remaining in the plane XZ of the lower portion 35 of the strip, while the uppermost portion of the notch 51, which includes the whole of the portion 52, is located in the plane XU of the upper portion 39. In this stage the longitudinal groove 50 is almost closed, and its two angled surfaces, 50 ^ and 502 face each other after bending.

In FIG. 9, the first displacement station 9a, the separation station 10 and the second displacement station 9b are shown schematically.

The first displacement station, 9a, comprises a slotted base 32a comprising a slot 33 (see FIG. 11) in which the lower portion 35 of the strip is disposed, and aligned with the slot 29 of the receiving portion 28 of the strip. curved station (see Figure 8), along the X axis. The base 32 is made so as to move along the Xga axis in a back and forth movement identified by the arrow 37 in Figure 10 in a receiver rail 38, which is fixed. On the other hand, the base 32 has longitudinal holes 40 extending along the Y direction. A connecting device 41a comprises a longitudinal body 42 and two side arms (see Figure 1 1) each of which extends into a respective hole 40 of the base 32a. Each of these arms 43 has, at its end, an end pin 44 whose shape is complemented with that of the notch 51 of the curved portion of the strip and in particular with the long bottom portion 53. The connection device 41 is assembled way of being able to slide on the base 32a along the Yga direction, and may be exposed to the action of an actuator so as to effect a back and forth movement along the Yga direction between a position in which the end spike (guide device) 44 extends into the notch (guided portion) 51 of the strip, whereby the base 32a and the strip 34 are connected together, and a second position in which the end spike 44 is withdrawn of the notch 51 of the strip.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 10, the actuator 45a may comprise an actuator arm 54 that is adapted to perform a back and forth movement along the Y9a > as shown by arrow 55, for example driven by a rotating arm 9a 'which can rotate about the axis Wga. The drive arm presses alternatively on the longitudinal body 42 so as to cause the end of the arms 43 to enter the recesses 51, or release the body. The drive arm 54 will be sufficiently long along the X direction to impart the required movement along the Y direction to the connecting device 41a along the entire travel stroke of this device along the direction Xga. In operation, the end pin 44 will move along the Yga direction in two successive recesses 51 of the strip 34. Next, in the base 32 it will move along the rail 38 along the X9a direction, with the which takes the strip along the direction Xga in a race, corresponding to the separation between two successive notches. Next, the arms 43 of the connecting device 41a will be subjected to an opposite movement along the direction Yga so as to release the strip from the base 32a, and the base 32a will be moved in the opposite direction back to its initial position without transporting the strip 34.

Again, as shown in Figure 9, the strip therefore moves to the separation station 10 comprising a slotted base 56 stationary mounted on the rail 38, which comprises a slot 57 of a similar shape, receiving in the lower portion 35 of the strip, and a cutting device 58 that can be actuated by the actuator 10 'so as to cut the strip when necessary. A separation portion 59 of the strip is defined, as shown in Figure 23 by a dotted line between two supports, extending from the middle (along the Zi0 direction) of the lower portion of the notch 51 towards down to the bottom side 47 of the strip. The cutting device 58 is thus synchronized with the apparatus for separating individual supports 134 from the strip 34 in the notch 51, by breaking the separation portion 59. The individual support 134 resulting from this cutting operation can be seen in Figure 24.

Figure 24 shows a perspective view of an individual support.

The individual curved support 134 comprises: a substantially planar lower portion 135, and a substantially planar upper portion 139.

The lower portion 135 of the curved portion 134 extends longitudinally between two side portions 140. Each side portion includes a side edge 141 obtained in the separation station 10.

The upper portion includes a lateral edge obtained in the notch-forming station. The upper portion 139 of the curved support extends longitudinally between two lateral edges each of which includes a rounded projection 142 which is constituted by a lateral wing with edges with rounded angles projecting laterally from the upper portion 139.

On the other hand, a rounded indentation 143 separates the rounded projection 142 from the side edge 141 of the lower portion.

Therefore, the side edges 141 of the lower portion of the curved support protrude laterally from the rounded projection 142.

In this step, the individual support 134, when released from the strip of material 34 in the separation station 10, is processed only by a second shift station 9b, partially visible in Figure 9 (see Figure 12), which is similar to the first displacement post 9a. Therefore it also comprises a similar grooved base 32b similar to the base slotted 32a, having a slot receiving lower portion 135 of the individual support and a similar mechanism of connection device 41b and actuator 45b. On the other hand, the first and second shift posts can be synchronized with each other by the operation of a common disk 60 that rotates about the axis of rotation W9.

The base 32b displaces the individual support 134 along the X direction towards an assembly station 12 in which the individual support 134 is assembled in a corresponding single razor blade, 66, visible in Figure 12. The assembly station 12 comprises a grooved base 61 having a groove similar to the grooves previously described and receiving the lower portion 135 of the individual support 134.

As shown in Figure 13, the individual razor blades 66 are provided from a sheet delivery station 11 which for example comprises a stack of sheets.

As shown in Figure 14, the base 61 comprises a flat receiving surface 61a that extends parallel to the plane U-X, and that therefore receives the upper portion of the support 134.

The grooved base 61 further comprises the holes 62 extending along the V direction and which are suitable for receiving leaf locator pegs 63. The leaf locator pegs 63 can be driven by a drive mechanism 12 'in a back and forth movement along the direction V12, as shown by arrow 64 in Figure 14. As shown in Figure 12, the drive mechanism 12 'comprises an actuator arm 81 that can rotate about the Wi2 axis so as to drive an actuator device of spikes 82 which can slide, with respect to the base 61 along a displacement axis T12 in a back and forth movement, and which has a connecting surface 83 coupled with a complementary surface 84 of the locating pins of sheets of way to generate the movement of the locator pin 63 along the axis V12. For example, the pin locator 63 is also rotated in a cam movement about the V12 axis, during its up and down movement As shown in Figure 15, the paper dispensing stations, 11, comprises a collection and set-up apparatus, 65, adapted to pick up a razor blade 66 from a delivery station and to place it on the slotted base 61, for which a vacuum is used, for example. Although this can not be seen in any Figure, it is also possible to apply a vacuum in the grooved base 61, through the holes extending parallel to the holes 62 and receiving the pin locating pins, 63, in order to maintain the 66 sheet in its position.

Again with reference to Figure 13, it can be seen therein that the individual sheet 66 comprises a front header portion 67 comprising a front edge 68, and a rear handling portion, 69. The rear portion has upper parallel faces 69a and lower 69b. The lower face 69b is placed on the receiving surface 61a of the base 61. The rear portion 69 has been provided with two locating holes 70, which are located for example on both lateral sides of the sheet 66. The geometry of the holes of Location 70 is complemented by the geometry of the locator pins 63. As can be seen in Figure 14, in operation, the sheet 66 is located precisely with respect to the single sheet holder 134 by the fact that the position of the slot 71 of the base 61, which receives the individual support 134, and the position of the leaf locating pins 63 are known with relative accuracy. The sheet 66 is accurately positioned with its front portion 67 on the upper surface of the platform portion of the support, by inserting the locator holes 70 of the sheet over the locating pin 63. The lower face 228 of the The front portion 67 of the sheet provides a fixing portion resting on the upper face of the upper portion of the support 134.

At this stage, as can be seen in Figure 16, the blade and the blade holder are located in the joining station 13 comprising means for permanently joining the razor blade and the individual razor blade holder 134 together. For example, a laser 72 is used to assemble, by laser spot welding, the razor blade and the single blade holder 134 located below the joining station 13.

Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly 80 of a sheet 66 and sheet support 134 in this step. The sheet 66 has a front portion 67 comprising a lower face 228 and an upper face 227, substantially flat at a rear portion, and tapering (comprises the facets 231, 232), which converge towards a cutting edge 226. The lower face 228 of the sheet is in contact with the upper face 73 of the upper portion 139 of the individual support 134 and is fixed thereto by a spot weld 74. The facet extends beyond the edge 146 of the support.

As shown in Figure 17, the assembly 80 of the single sheet 66 and of the individual holder 134 is pushed along the X direction towards the next break station 14 by a next individual support which is moved towards the station for joining 13 for the second displacement post 9b.

The rupture station 14 is adapted to break the back portion 69 of the sheet 66 so as to release a cutting member 124 consisting of the individual support assembly 134., and a cutting blade 125 that substantially corresponds to the front portion 67 of the blade 66. Therefore, the breaking station comprises a breaking tool 76 that can be subjected to a rotational movement about the axis X14 by driving the actuator 14 'so as to break the back portion 69 of the sheet 66 so as to move it away from the assembly. It is possible to provide a suction device 77 for removing these rear portions 69 for discarding.

The resultant cutting member 124 is shown in perspective in Figures 26 and 27. It comprises the individual support 134 having a lower portion 135, an upper portion 139 curved with respect to this lower portion in an intermediate (non-visible) portion comprising a longitudinal notch on its inner face. It further comprises a razor blade 125. In its flat position the blade 125 has a thickness of about 0.1 mm (eg, a thickness of between 0.04 (preferably 0.09) and 0.11 mm) and a length of about 1.3 mm along the length of the U-axis from its cutting edge 126 towards its opposite posterior edge (for example, between 1.1 and 1.5 mm). The part, along the U axis, of the blade, which is in contact with the upper surface of the upper portion 139 of the blade support, is approximately 0.9 mm +/- 0.15 mm in length. In this way, a good retention of the sheet on the support is ensured. The cutting edge 126 is at a distance of at least 0.35 mm from the front edge 146 of the support, so that the Support does not impede shaving performance of neighboring razor blades. The upper and lower faces 127, 128 of the sheet respectively include the two parallel major surfaces 129, 130, and two tapered facets 131, 132, which taper toward the cutting edge 126.

On the other hand, the upper portion 139 of the curved support extends longitudinally between two lateral edges each of which includes the rounded projection 142 which is constituted by a lateral wing as rounded angles protruding laterally from the upper portion 139 and from a corresponding end lateral 133 of the leaf.

On the other hand, the rounded indentation 143 cut away from the sheet metal forming the sheet support separates the rounded projection 142 from the side edge 141 of the lower portion.

The side edges 141 of the lower portion of the curved support protrude laterally from the side ends 133 of the sheet and form the rounded projections 142.

The resulting cutting members 124 are moved to a stacking position 15 (see Figure 17) where they are stacked in a bayonet 78 for use in a razor head assembly process, for the manufacture of a razor head.

In a variant embodiment of such an apparatus, the separation station 10 could for example be provided after the station for joining 13, or after the breaking station 14, before the stacking station 15.

In a vanishing embodiment of such an apparatus, it is not necessary that one or more of the stations be provided in line with the rest of the. apparatus. For example, a first part of the process could be carried out on a strip that is delivered by a delivery station such as a delivery station 3 of Figure 1, and rewound in a rewind station. The reel carrying the partially formed strip could then be moved to a second apparatus to carry out the other steps of the manufacturing process. This could for example be the case of the passage of the formation of the grooves.

The foregoing description provides a first embodiment of a sheet holder. According to a second embodiment, shown in Figure 28, the sheet support 134 differs from the support described above in the fact that it could comprise a recess 179 located on the outer face 49 in the intermediate curved portion 36. This recess It could have a concave shape. This recess could be provided in addition to the groove 50 formed in the inner face 48. According to another embodiment there could not even be a groove 50 of this type. The recess 179 could for example be manufactured in the groove forming station 6, by forming a groove similar to the groove 51 on the other face 49 of the strip, either by cutting or pressing the material, either simultaneously or by displaced rollers to along the X axis Figure 29 shows yet another embodiment for a sheet support 134 according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the intermediate portion 36 is carried out as a hinge between the upper portion 139 of the support and the lower portion 135 of the support. For example, the inner face 48, in the intermediate curved portion 136 has a radius of curvature of about 0.2 mm and the outer face 49 has a radius Convex of curvature of approximately 0.38 mm. The hinge could be made in the slot forming station as described above with respect to the embodiment of Figure 28. Thus, the recess on the outer face 49 has a U-shaped cross section, which has a base 160 from each end of which a flange 181a, 181 b, respectively, connected to the outer face 49 of the upper portion 139 and the lower portion 135 of the support. A similar geometry 280, 281 a, 281b could be found with a convex base.

Figure 30 shows a blade unit 105 for a safety razor (also called a wet razor), i.e. a shaver whose blades are not driven by a motor with respect to the blade unit.

Said razors typically include a handle extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal portion and a distal portion carrying the blade unit 105 or razor head. The longitudinal direction L may be curved or include one or more rectilinear portions.

The blade unit 105 includes an upper face equipped with one or more cutting members 124 and a lower face which is connected to the distal portion of the handle by a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism may for example allow the unit 105 to pivot with respect to a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Such a connecting mechanism may further allow to selectively release the blade unit for the purpose to exchange leaf units. A particular example of connection mechanism that can be used in the present invention has been described in WO A-2006/027018, which is It is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

As shown in Figure 30, the blade unit includes a frame 110 that is made of synthetic materials only, ie of thermoplastic materials (polystyrene or ABS, for example), and of elastomeric materials.

Stated more precisely, the frame 110 includes a platform member of plastic material, 111, connected to the handle by the connection mechanism and having: a guard or guard, 112, extending parallel to the pivot axis; a section 113 receiving the blade, located rearwardly of the guard 112 in the direction of the shaving; a cap portion, 114, extending parallel to the pivot axis and located rearwardly with respect to the sheet receiving section, 113, in the direction of shaving; and two side portions 115 joining the longitudinal ends of the guard 112 and the cap portion 114 together.

In the example shown in the Figures, the guard 112 is covered by an elastomeric layer 116 which forms a plurality of fins 117 extending parallel to the pivot axis.

On the other hand, in this particular example, the lower side of the platform member 111 includes two bearings or shell supports 118 that form part of the connection mechanism and which may be for example as described in the aforementioned WO A-2006 / 027018.

In addition, the frame 110 includes a cap 120 of plastic material. lid 1 19 has a general U-shape, with a cap portion 120 partially covering the cap portion 14 of the platform and two side members 121 covering the two side members 15 of the platform. In this embodiment, the cover 1 19 does not cover the guard 12 of the platform.

The cap portion 120 of the lid 1 19 may include a lubrication strip 123 that faces upward and comes into contact with the wearer's skin during shaving. This lubricant strip can be formed, for example, by coinjection together with the rest of the lid.

Referring again to Figure 27, it can be seen that there is at least one cutting member 124 mounted so as to be movable in the sheet receiving section 13 of the platform. The sheet receiving section 13 can include several cutting members 124, for example four cutting members as in the example shown in the drawings.

Each cutting member 124 includes a blade 125 having its cutting edge 126 facing forward in the direction of shaving. Each blade 125 has its upper face 127 facing the skin to be shaved and a lower face 128 facing the handle.

Each blade 125 extends longitudinally, in a direction parallel to the pivot axis, between its two lateral ends 133.

Each leaf 125 is carried by a respective curved support 134. The curved support 134 comprises: the substantially planar lower portion 135 (for example substantially perpendicular to the plane of the shaving): and the substantially planar upper portion 139 extending parallel to the sheet 125.

The angle a of the upper portion 139 and of the blade 125 with respect to the plane of the shaving can be about 22 degrees.

The lower portion 135 of the curved portion 134 extends longitudinally, parallel to the pivot axis, between the two side portions 140.

As shown in Figure 30, each cutting member 134 is carried by two elastic fingers 144 molded as a single piece together with the platform 1 1 1 and extending towards each other and upwards from both lateral members 1 15 of the platform.

In addition, as shown in Figure 30, the end portions 140 of the curved portions are slidably guided in vertical slits 145 (ie, slits that are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the shaving) provided on the inside of the body. each lateral member 15 of the platform.

The leaf members 124 are elastically pressed by the spring arms 144 toward a rest position. In this rest position, the upper faces 127 of the sheets, at each side end of the sheets, rest against corresponding upper stop portions that are provided on the underside of each side member 121 of the lid, and said side member 121 covers the indentations 145 (not visible) Therefore, the rest position of the leaf members 124 is well defined, which allows a high precision in shaving.

Claims (19)

1. A method for manufacturing a razor head component, comprising: (a) providing a strip of elongated material along a first direction (X), the strip having first and second edges parallel to said first direction, and having a first portion comprising said first edge, a second portion comprising said second edge, and an intermediate portion that is intermediate between said first and second portions; (b) curving the intermediate portion of a portion of said strip around a curve axis parallel to the first direction (X); (c) fixing a razor blade on the second portion of said part.

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising, before step (b), the following step: (d) making a notch in two separate locations along the first direction (X), wherein a part is defined between said two locations.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said locations extend from the second edge towards the first edge, both in the second portion and the intermediate portion.

4. Method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the following step: (e) separating an individual sheet holder from the strip.

5. Method according to claim 4 and any of claims 2 or 3, wherein a separation portion extends from the notch to the first edge, and wherein the step (e) comprises breaking the separation portion.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein step (e) is carried out before step (c), said part corresponding to said individual support.

7. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein step (c) comprises: (d) providing a razor blade comprising a manipulation portion and a header portion, said header portion comprising a fastening portion and an engaging edge. cut; (c2) placing the fixing portion in correspondence with the second portion of the part; (c3) adhering the fixing portion to the second portion.

8. Method according to claim 7, further comprising, after step (c), the following step: (f) removing said manipulation portion.

9. Method according to any preceding claim, comprising moving the strip along a process path, and repeating at least steps (b) and (c) for different parts of said strip.

10. Method according to claim 9 and any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the process path extends along the first direction (X) at least from step (b) to step (c).

The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein moving the strip comprises: (g1) having a guiding device for mechanically cooperating with a complementary guided portion of the strip; (g2) moving the guiding device along the path of the process, with which the strip moves; (g3) removing the cooperation between the guiding device and the guided portion; (g4) moving the guiding device in a direction opposite to the process path, without moving the strip;

12. Method according to claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the guided portion comprises a notch extending at least partially through the thickness of the strip, and wherein said notch is carried out in step (d) .

13. Method for manufacturing a stack of cutting members, comprising: - applying the method of any of claims 1 to 12; - stacking a plurality of leaf and support assemblies in a bayonet.

14. An apparatus for the manufacture of a razor head component, comprising: (A) a delivery station that provides a strip of elongated material along a first direction (X), the strip having first and second edges parallel to said first direction, and has a first portion comprising said first edge, a second portion comprising said second edge, and an intermediate portion that is intermediate between said first and second regions; (B) a bending station adapted to bend the intermediate portion of a part of said strip around a bending axis that ] _ 5 is parallel to said first address; (C) a joining station adapted to fix a razor blade on the second portion of said part.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the stations are provided along a process path extending along the first direction, and further comprises a station of 20 adapted to move the strip at least from the delivery station to the bending station.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising (E) a separation station adapted to separate an individual part of the strip.

17. A strip of elongated material along a first direction and intended to be used in the manufacture of shaving head components, the strip having first and second edges parallel to said first direction, and having a first portion comprising said first edge, a second portion comprising said second edge, and an intermediate person that is intermediate between said first and second portions; wherein the intermediate portion of a first part of said strip is curved about a curve axis parallel to the first direction (X); wherein a second part of said strip is rectilinear, said second part being integral with said first part.

18. Strip according to claim 17, further comprising a notch between the first midwife and the second part, with the notch extending from the second edge towards the first edge, a separation portion extending from the notch towards the second edge axis.

19. A set of elements, comprising: - a strip according to any of claims 17 or 18; - a single sheet support, having a cross section with a profile identical to the profile of the first part of said strip, said support having no razor blade fixed thereto; - a first set of a sheet and an individual sheet holder, the support having a cross section with a profile identical to the profile of the first part of said strip, the razor blade having a manipulation portion and a head portion, comprising said head portion a fixing portion - and a cutting edge, said fixing portion being fixed to the support; - a second set of a sheet and support of individual sheet, identical to the first set but without said manipulation portion; wherein said elements are arranged in line along the first direction in said 10 fifteen twenty 25